The latest wave in polymer-framed, striker-fired wunderpistols has reached SHOT Show 2017 Industry Day at the Range, in the form of the Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0. In truth, the M2.0 is a very modest update to the M&P, introducing modest improvements to the controls and grip texture of the original M&P, as well as the now-trendy lightened striker trigger. I am not a big fan of this style of trigger, however popular it has become, as I like my pistols to have very crisp, modestly heavy (~7lb) pulls. However, a lot of people seem to like it, and if you are one then we can include the M&P 2.0 into the rotating list of polymer wondernines that offer this feature.

I evidently did not have the presence of mind to photograph this M&P M2.0 with the slide in battery… Or to photograph any of the other M2.0s they had on the line besides this one.

Probably the nicest thing about the M&P M2.0 is the much more aggressive, but not abrasive, grip texture. This is equivalent to a stippling job right out of the box, and felt pretty good to me. The M&P’s grip is of a well-designed shape, and that hasn’t changed, but the annoying slipperiness is gone.

Thanks to the Smith & Wesson rep for getting these sweet photos of brass flying through the air.

Also at S&W’s booth was their rather nifty 6.5 Creedmoor caliber M&P 10, which comes with a matching rather hefty $2,035 MSRP. The representative did not mention much more about it.

Nathaniel is a history enthusiast and firearms hobbyist whose primary interest lies in military small arms technological developments beginning with the smokeless powder era. In addition to contributing to The Firearm Blog, he runs 196,800 Revolutions Per Minute, a blog devoted to modern small arms design and theory. He is also the author of the original web serial Heartblood, which is being updated and edited regularly. He can be reached via email at nathaniel.f@staff.thefirearmblog.com.

Advertisement

yodamiles

Based on the a few preview video on YouTube, it seems that there is practically no improvement on the trigger at all. I’m surprised that S&W didn’t just copy APEX trigger and make their own.

FightFireJay

Having handled it, it’s actually a fair change in trigger feel. It now feels a bit more like a Sig P320 trigger, and a bit less like a stiff sear trigger.

Some components are the same or close enough (maybe even the same sear), but the activation has changed. There is no more loop/ramp on the trigger bar.

I do, however, think that the texture is overly aggressive for my average customers.

The trigger felt lighter to me, but so far as I saw there were no 1st gen pistols there to compare.

st381183

What a terrible “review”. No useful information except that “you” don’t like lightened striker triggers that is so trendy with shooters. Nice lack of photos too. You are our eyes and ears, how about putting in a little more effort.

Twilight sparkle

Considering how much stuff there is at shot this year this isn’t that bad of an article, if you really want to know more on this new m&p you could always look up another write up.

How do you expect someone to review something they probably only held for a few minuets anyways?

st381183

Well I expect a member of the media that describes and reviews guns to come up with a little more description and review. I really don’t need fastest to publish from SHOT Show, but a well thought out post. I’m sorry my critique offended you all but it was my thoughts after reading the article.

Could you be more specific as to what description and review you would like to have added?

Drew Coleman

Why don’t you go out to SHOT and cover everything they’ve been covering and do it better? Go on, we’re waiting.

st381183

I don’t go because I’m not an invited member of the media on media day. I don’t see a lot of other articles by Nathaniel and at least some over all pics and some deeper insight would have been nice. Thanks for your faith on my ability to do it better.

What information would you have added? I did not get MSRP or specs from them because they did not have press kits available, and the reps were very busy.

Beachhawk

I don’t think that’s a fair assessment. This was not a review; it was more it was more of an introductory physical description. As for the photos, getting good shots in the field under harsh sunlight is a challenge for even professional photographers. His photos show all of the details on each side. He could have gotten a photo with the pistol in battery, but I don’t know what more that would have shown. The author did not take the pistol to the range to put 200 rounds through it. He simply described what he saw at the SHOT show.

valorius

Almost without exception i prefer a hammer fired pistol.

Baggy270

What are the slots in the dust cover for?

Treiz

Looking forward to getting a few of these.

Beachhawk

The M&P M2.0 appears to have the same grip texturing as the relatively new M&P45 Shield. While that aggressive texturing is great when shooting, it’s like wearing very coarse sandpaper in an IWB holster. After wearing it two hours, the skin above my hip felt like it had been sandblasted or blow torched. I haven’t tried it in an OWB holster, but I suspect it will eat up your shirt. I love the pistol, but I have ordered a Hogue Handall to tame the texturing. I am hoping some creative holster maker will design and market holsters for these pistols that protects the skin and clothing of the carrier.